In anticipation of calving season, Kansas State University’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and K-State Research and Extension are planning a series of calving schools in January.
The program will outline overall calving management that includes stages of the normal calving process as well as tips to handle difficult calving situations.
Extension beef veterinarian A.J. Tarpoff said the goals of the event are to increase knowledge and practical skills, and to increase the number of live calves born if they need assistance.
The schools will also share tips on when and how to intervene to assist the cow or heifer. Presenters will demonstrate proper use of calving equipment on a life-size cow and calf model.
“Our goal is for producers to leave better prepared for calving season,” Tarpoff said. “We will demonstrate building a proper calving kit, then discuss timelines on when to examine cows for calving problems, and when to call your vet for help if things are not going well, and how to care for the newborn calf. It’s an excellent program regardless of one’s experience level.”
Meetings scheduled include:• Thursday, Jan, 4, evening, Stafford County Annex, St. John, Kansas; RSVP to 21 Central District Extension Offices at Stafford County office, 620-549-3502; or the Kinsley office, 620-659-2149, or email [email protected].
• Tuesday, Jan. 9, evening, Haskell County Fairgrounds, Sublette, Kansas; RSVP to Wild West Extension office at Stevens County Office, 620-544-4359, or email [email protected].
• Thursday, Jan. 11, evening, Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex, Holton, Kansas; RSVP to Meadowlark Extension Holton office at 785-364-4125, [email protected], or https://tinyurl.com/ksucalvingschoolholton.
• Thursday, Jan. 18, evening, West Elk School, Howard, Kansas; RSVP to Rolling Prairie Extension office at 620-374-2174, or email [email protected].
More information about the K-State calving schools is available at KSUBeef.org.
To register for the calving school that will be held in St. John, you can also call me at 620-793-1910 or email me at [email protected].
Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at [email protected] or calling 620-793-1910.
K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.